The Chronic Disease Coalition spends most of its time advocating for patient rights and fighting against patient discrimination. Yet we also get really excited whenever we see something that will improve the lives of chronic disease patients. On that front, we saw some great news today for patients with type 1 diabetes.

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) just approved the Minimeds 670G system (Medtronic product). This is the first hybrid closed loop system to be approved by the FDA. Because the pancreas does not make insulin in people with type 1 diabetes, patients must monitor their glucose levels throughout the day and have insulin therapy through injection with a syringe, an insulin pen or insulin pump.

This new device is an insulin pump system that also monitors blood glucose. It adjusts insulin automatically in response to the body’s blood-sugar level. This is a huge step for diabetes patients.

“The FDA is dedicated to making technologies available that can help improve the quality of life for those with chronic diseases – especially those that require day-to-day maintenance and ongoing attention,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a news release. “This first-of-its-kind technology can provide people with type 1 diabetes greater freedom to live their lives without having to consistently and manually monitor baseline glucose levels and administer insulin.”

You can read more about the device and see what it looks like by clicking here.